Training Camp Standouts

[orcatown]

Raty has shown improvement and may make the team. Felton has come out of nowhere to have a couple of impressive games. Tocchet has been quite positive about Alriksson and this player got a contract.

Lekkermaki looks like he will need more time.

 

[Chainshot]

How has Konsta Helenius looked in preseason? I liked that pick when it was announced as he was bit higher on my list than where he was picked up.

There are definite flashes of talent, but he needs to adjust to the speed and timing of the North American game.

 

[neelynugs]

For keeper league purpose, Do you see Lohrei and Poitras producing offensively?

this year, i can see poitras around 40 points. lohrei maybe 25-30.

long term, poitras maybe 60, lohrei 40 if they hit full potential. i think lohrei is long term PP1 QB personally.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Pens:

Brunicke is raw but has really popped from a talent perspective. The skating/athleticism/size combo is high end. In that sense, he looks closer to a lottery pick than a mid 2nd. If he can take strides with his quick game and create more offense with his brain and not necessarily just out-athleting guys, he could be a real player. Still as it sits he has the tools to be a second pair guy even if he doesn’t refine his game too much in the next 2-3 years. I think it’s too early to read into much and guys that can skate like he can always look good in camp but about as exciting as the 44th pick can look fresh off his draft.

Pickering has almost been the opposite. You’d maybe love it if he flashed more explosion and ability to take over shifts but he’s been huge, smooth, and subtle (in a good way). Has good hands for a D. Encouraging after his counting stats stalled in junior.

McGroarty will be a beast if/when he gets stronger. Already smart positionally. Skating has improved, I’d argue his balance/core strength is a bigger issue. He looks close to being ready as the game is not too fast for him at all. I think I’d have preferred if he played in the NCAA this year though.

Poulin has been disappointing in his “waiver year”.

Koivunen looks like a guy who is in danger of being AAAA type if he doesn’t add a step. Too small to not be evasive.

 

[DJJones]

A few standouts from different teams.

Artem Grushnikov - Smart & physical young defender. I don't believe he makes the team but he's absolutely been one of their best defenders in camp and will play big minutes in a year or two. He's been terrific, smart and gritty.

The #6 spot is just waiting for this guy. He's my first callup for a bottom pairing role.

Hunter or Poirier need to battle it out if we need a top 4 guy.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Looks like Casey has made the Devils opening night roster.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Looks like Casey has made the Devils opening night roster.

That’s unreal… is he there due to injuries or did he beat players out of a spot?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

That’s unreal… is he there due to injuries or did he beat players out of a spot?

A bit of both. L Hughes and Pesce being out opened up space for him, but he was arguably the team's best player in preseason.

 

[Rob Brown]

Looks like Casey has made the Devils opening night roster.

Do you think he'll play both games in Europe this weekend?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Do you think he'll play both games in Europe this weekend?

Yes, I would think so, unless he absolutely ****s the bed in the first game, which I doubt.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

A few standouts from different teams.

Artem Grushnikov - Smart & physical young defender. I don't believe he makes the team but he's absolutely been one of their best defenders in camp and will play big minutes in a year or two. He's been terrific, smart and gritty.

Hunter St. Martin - Despite the 6th round overager draft pedigree, St. Martin has been very noticeable for the Panthers, combining great wheels with maximum effort on every shift. It's not hard at all imagining him being a bottom 6 forward, killing penalties and being dangerous off the rush in the NHL. He's very lanky could add 10-15 pounds of muscle and be a real problem for other teams in a couple of years.

Oliver Kapanen has been all over the ice for Montreal....smart, fast, defensively aware and sound. I don't think he's strong enough to endure the rigors of an NHL season yet but he's definitely a player and will contribute nicely to the middle 6 in Montreal.

Lane Hutson's offensive and zone entry gifts are so undeniable that I have a hard time thinking that he won't make the team and also run the Habs 1st PP unit. The problem is that he's going to have to have extremely sheltered minutes because defensively he's a turnstyle. He simply cannot yet defend well in the NHL. He's not strong enough and despite his extraordinary 4 way agility, he's not a blazing skater. Such a fun player to watch.

Tristan Luneau has been very effective as well, he will help Anaheim's sorry defense right away. Excellent skater, very smart, surprisingly tough and well positioned. I believe he deserves to make the team and will have an opportunity to move up the line-up.

The ducks have been high on luneau since we drafted him…. i don’t think they’ve even considered letting him spend some time in the AHL.

Well rounded RHD, I feel like he has top pair upside if he can stay healthy. He’s going to be a key part of our defense for a long time.


Pretty solid defensive draft that year… Casey Hutson and luneau all look like they should have been 1st round picks.

 

[57special]

Lauko has probably won a starting spot. Has scored, shown off his speed, grittiness, and overall smart play. Ben Jones has scored some nice goals, but is a long shot to make the roster. Marat Khusnutdinov is a lock to make it, but hasn't hurt his case by playing with speed, a bit of skill, as well as being good on the PK and FO.

I think Ohgren might not make the team out of camp. He's not been bad, but I think they'd rather play him top line minutes in the AHL than sporadic minutes in NHL, for now. Want to see him use that nice shot of his and develop into a legit top 9, if not top 6 guy, a couple of years from now. I don't think his play deserves him a top 9 spot right now

Chisholm, the guy MN got on waivers last year, has looked good. Nice skater, good with the puck, good decisions, even if he isn't the most physical defender ... #2PP material.

 

[wetcoast]

this year, i can see poitras around 40 points. lohrei maybe 25-30.

long term, poitras maybe 60, lohrei 40 if they hit full potential. i think lohrei is long term PP1 QB personally.

Poitras might hit 60 one or 2 times in his career but that depends on who Boston drafts in the next 3-6 years and frankly I see him as a 2-3 centerman but maybe he exceeds that?

Same thing with Lohrei, who to me has a Josh Manson type of career and whomever takes over from McAvoy hasn't been drafted yet.

I also think that Boston really reached for Dean Letourneau this past draft and a guy like Liam Greentree would have been the safer and better choice.

 

[Chainshot]

Going into action tonight, goalie Scott Ratzlaff of the Seattle Thunderbirds has been Buffalo's best goalie of the three they have playing with their AHL-laden squad that stayed in North America. He was a 6th rounder in 2023, went with the Canadian team to the U20s as the #3 last year, and has been playing well above his draft stock IMO.

 

[De Montreal]

curious too

 

[57special]

Noah Ostlund has impressed me even if Buffalo is icing an almost all AHL team in their NA pre-season games. He's on LW but his creativity and speed have shown through. He picked up three assists tonight on the heels of the OT GWG in Ottawa the other night.

It will be interesting to see how he and his Swedish compadres and sometime linemates Lekkerimaki and Ohgren, progress. I liked all three during their draft year, for different reasons.

 

[57special]

Lauko has probably won a starting spot. Has scored, shown off his speed, grittiness, and overall smart play. Ben Jones has scored some nice goals, but is a long shot to make the roster. Marat Khusnutdinov is a lock to make it, but hasn't hurt his case by playing with speed, a bit of skill, as well as being good on the PK and FO.

I think Ohgren might not make the team out of camp. He's not been bad, but I think they'd rather play him top line minutes in the AHL than sporadic minutes in NHL, for now. Want to see him use that nice shot of his and develop into a legit top 9, if not top 6 guy, a couple of years from now. I don't think his play deserves him a top 9 spot right now

Chisholm, the guy MN got on waivers last year, has looked good. Nice skater, good with the puck, good decisions, even if he isn't the most physical defender ... #2PP material.

After tonight's game, more of the same. Lauko with two points, despite missing a period.

Marat looks solid...fast, smart, defensively responsible, and a bit of skill. He's on the smaller side, but not tiny, and strong on his skates. He will play with Lauko on the 4th line to start the season.

Ohgren had his best game. Still might start the season in Iowa, but he looks like he belongs in the NHL. Rang one off the post...he has a heavy shot with a quick release.

Chisholm continues to look really good. Composed offensively. If he keeps it up he's going to make himself some money.

Daemon Hunt also had his best game of the the preseason. Solid, can handle the puck, skate a bit. Don't see him beating out any of the top 6(who all look good), and don't think they want him around as a 7D, so he might not make the team even though he deserves to. 1st Injury call up, for sure.

Wallstedt didn't play. He might already be MN's best goalie.

Chi had a really rough night. Don't know if it's fair to critique any of the young guy's games ... it was pretty ugly all round. Spellacy didn't impress like he did when playing against prospects, and Korchinski(who I like) had a lot of giveaways. Reichel ... where is the guy who looks so good down in the AHL? Maybe they can turn it around Friday in Chicago.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Poitras might hit 60 one or 2 times in his career but that depends on who Boston drafts in the next 3-6 years and frankly I see him as a 2-3 centerman but maybe he exceeds that?

Same thing with Lohrei, who to me has a Josh Manson type of career and whomever takes over from McAvoy hasn't been drafted yet.

I also think that Boston really reached for Dean Letourneau this past draft and a guy like Liam Greentree would have been the safer and better choice.

I think your comments are fine save for Lohrei.. He's a puck transporting, jump in the play dynamo with PP upside. He's going to be an offensive gem.

 

[wetcoast]

I think your comments are fine save for Lohrei.. He's a puck transporting, jump in the play dynamo with PP upside. He's going to be an offensive gem.

Fair enough, let me put it another way, he is a bit like chara sure you can put him out on the PP but he isn't an elite offensive Dman, ie probably 32+ Dmen in the league better at offense.

 

[Craig Ludwig]

After tonight's game, more of the same. Lauko with two points, despite missing a period.

Marat looks solid...fast, smart, defensively responsible, and a bit of skill. He's on the smaller side, but not tiny, and strong on his skates. He will play with Lauko on the 4th line to start the season.

Ohgren had his best game. Still might start the season in Iowa, but he looks like he belongs in the NHL. Rang one off the post...he has a heavy shot with a quick release.

Chisholm continues to look really good. Composed offensively. If he keeps it up he's going to make himself some money.

Daemon Hunt also had his best game of the the preseason. Solid, can handle the puck, skate a bit. Don't see him beating out any of the top 6(who all look good), and don't think they want him around as a 7D, so he might not make the team even though he deserves to. 1st Injury call up, for sure.

Wallstedt didn't play. He might already be MN's best goalie.

Chi had a really rough night. Don't know if it's fair to critique any of the young guy's games ... it was pretty ugly all round. Spellacy didn't impress like he did when playing against prospects, and Korchinski(who I like) had a lot of giveaways. Reichel ... where is the guy who looks so good down in the AHL? Maybe they can turn it around Friday in Chicago.

Will Wallstedt even be in the NHL this year?

 

[57special]

Will Wallstedt even be in the NHL this year?

Absolutely will play games, but will probably be ferried back and forth between Iowa and MN. A lot depends on how well MAF and Gustavsson play.

 

[CutOnDime97]

Will Wallstedt even be in the NHL this year?

Michael Russo said on Morning Cuppa Hockey this morning that they will carry 3 goalies at times. But as the poster above said he will also play some games for Iowa.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

Marco Kasper has been flying everywhere in every game so far. Has outperformed all the other forward prospects including Danielson and looks the most NHL ready. We'll see how the games this weekend go but he's forcing their hand for an opening night roster spot

 

[57special]

Michael Russo said on Morning Cuppa Hockey this morning that they will carry 3 goalies at times. But as the poster above said he will also play some games for Iowa.

Carrying 3 goalies will come at a cap cost that the Wild can ill afford with their 15M cap penalty.

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

Carrying 3 goalies will come at a cap cost that the Wild can ill afford with their 15M cap penalty.

Not really since Wallstedt is on an ELC so unless they are shorting the roster, the replacement D or F they carry instead is going to cost roughly the same. They will probably play some up and down shenanigans at the start of the season, but once the first road trip is over they should have accrued enough space for it not to matter much at all.