GDT: Traverse City Tournament 2016

[DaleCooper]

Nice bomb from Ganly. 4-2 but I have no idea which team has 4 since I just tuned in.

 

[cptjeff]

Ganley shot goes in, maybe a tip from Lorentz?

Edit: Announcer calls it as Lorentz's goal.

 

[cptjeff]

Nice bomb from Ganly. 4-2 but I have no idea which team has 4 since I just tuned in.

Canes 4, Dallas 2.

 

[MinJaBen]

Ganley shot goes in, maybe a tip from Lorentz?

Edit: Announcer calls it as Lorentz's goal.

That shot changed direction at least three times...

 

[MinJaBen]

This tournament is not the place to go to see smart decision making. "I think I'll no look behind the back pass it to my partner in front of our goal...H'un, wonder how the other team got that?"

 

[RibFrabcus]

I'm really warming up to McKeown. He doesn't seem to have many holes. Not crazy upside but I could see him being a solid #4 in the future.

 

[WreckingCrew]

I'm really warming up to McKeown. He doesn't seem to have many holes. Not crazy upside but I could see him being a solid #4 in the future.

I only tuned in a few minutes ago, but it looks like he sometimes needs to be a bit more decisive. He had 2-3 chances to really make some plays just a minute ago and ended up not doing anything until he just kinda dumped it towards the corner where the DAL guy just nabbed it. His movement along the blueline was really good though and his puck control. He looked like he really wanted to shoot, but with all the DAL guys right in front of the net, you know the other pointman was wide open for a one-timer.

Tolchinsky's had a couple good dangles though, still haven't figured out who anyone else is yet lol

 

[cptjeff]

I think Roy's skating still needs some work. And he just had a moment where he got the puck, and took about a second standing completely still while he tried to set up a shot. Predictably, it was pretty easily blocked. Gotta be able to move your feet and keep moving to prevent somebody from setting up right in front of you.

Edit to elaborate: It's better than the video I watched from junior when we drafted him, no question. But compared to the other guys on the ice, he's not all that quick, doesn't have all that great a top speed, and he's not nimble at all. I know some are really high on him, but he definitely still looks like a project to me. He's big, but big and lumbering doesn't make the NHL anymore.

 

[MinJaBen]

I think Roy's skating still needs some work. And he just had a moment where he got the puck, and took about a second standing completely still while he tried to set up a shot. Predictably, it was pretty easily blocked. Gotta be able to move your feet and keep moving to prevent somebody from setting up right in front of you.

Edit to elaborate: It's better than the video I watched from junior when we drafted him, no question. But compared to the other guys on the ice, he's not all that quick, doesn't have all that great a top speed, and he's not nimble at all. I know some are really high on him, but he definitely still looks like a project to me. He's big, but big and lumbering doesn't make the NHL anymore.

I've actually been very impressed with his game. Good positioning and faceoffs. Plus, I saw him flying up the ice once and when I realized it was him, I went back to the lineup sheet to make sure I had the number right. He'll never beat Murphy in a race, but he looked faster than EStaal last year and Rask. I think he'll be fine.

 

[cptjeff]

I've actually been very impressed with his game. Good positioning and faceoffs. Plus, I saw him flying up the ice once and when I realized it was him, I went back to the lineup sheet to make sure I had the number right. He'll never beat Murphy in a race, but he looked faster than EStaal last year and Rask. I think he'll be fine.

Speed is not my only concern with his skating, or even my primary one. He doesn't seem to have a good first step or acceleration and still can't seem to move laterally. And if he stops to set up shots like he did on that one regularly, he's going to have major issues getting shots through even in the ECHL. He's improved to be sure, but there's still a long way to go.

 

[GoldiFox]

Rocket top-corner snipe by Ferrantino

 

[cptjeff]

Mike Ferrantino with the snipe. 5-2 Canes.

 

[cptjeff]

Wild player goes after Tolchinsky, some pushing ensues. Don't know how they called it, but it's 4 on 4 right now.

Edit: Roughing on them both.

Edit: The Stars pulled their goalie to get 5 on 4 and scored. 5-3 Canes.

 

[cptjeff]

Tolchinksky with the goal against M. T. Knett.

 

[cptjeff]

6-3 win, and a 3-0 record. Works for me.

 

[HisIceness]

3-0 record with 14 goals scored. Would be nice to see this from the big boy club.

 

[Hulkacaniac]

Anyone know who our opponent will be tomorrow? Not sure how the tiebreaker between Columbus and Detroit works. Detroit I think beat Columbus but Columbus has a better goal differential.

 

[Caniac4ever]

Anyone know who our opponent will be tomorrow? Not sure how the tiebreaker between Columbus and Detroit works. Detroit I think beat Columbus but Columbus has a better goal differential.

As per here, we will play Detroit at 7 tomorrow.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I didn't catch much of the games after the 1st one, but looking at the score sheets, it looks like Gauthier and Roy were pretty quiet thus far, is that a fair assessment from those that watched more of the games?

Also, Kuokkanen looked good in game 1, how was he after that?

 

[GoldiFox]

I didn't catch much of the games after the 1st one, but looking at the score sheets, it looks like Gauthier and Roy were pretty quiet thus far, is that a fair assessment from those that watched more of the games?

Also, Kuokkanen looked good in game 1, how was he after that?

I didn't watch the 2nd game. The third game was much like the 1st only more lopsided.

Kuokkanen and McKeown are the definite standouts for me and much for the same reason. Both have incredible instincts and Hockey IQ in all three zones. They always seem to be in the right place to make the play or pick up a loose puck. They are both very noticeable, every shift they were on the ice they were making plays. I think the Canes have two real gems there.

Zykov isn't far behind, I didn't notice him as much on a consistent basis but many times during my "damn, who just did that?" moments it turned out that it was Zykov who just did that. I'm excited to see what he can do in the AHL. I'd also put Foegele in this same boat.

Gauthier seemed to be the opposite of Kuokkanen for me. I noticed him maybe 1-2 times a game and it was more due to his speed than size. I noticed Roy a lot more, to me he appears to be much bigger on the ice. He has made some decent plays and protects the puck well.

Bean has been noticeable but not in a good way. I'm not sure how he scored all those goals last year, his shot and offensive awareness seem lacking to me. Maybe its just nerves or new teammates. His decisions in the defensive end have been scary far too often. On the positive side, his 4-way agility seems to be great.

Poturalski and Tolchinsky suffer from the same issue. They both make decent plays at times but also seem to do to much and end up squandering opportunities.

Bishop and Lorentz both looked pretty solid. I could see either being cheap bottom-6 options for the Canes if they continue to develop.

 

[The Faulker 27]

I didn't watch the 2nd game. The third game was much like the 1st only more lopsided.

Kuokkanen and McKeown are the definite standouts for me and much for the same reason. Both have incredible instincts and Hockey IQ in all three zones. They always seem to be in the right place to make the play or pick up a loose puck. They are both very noticeable, every shift they were on the ice they were making plays. I think the Canes have two real gems there.

Zykov isn't far behind, I didn't notice him as much on a consistent basis but many times during my "damn, who just did that?" moments it turned out that it was Zykov who just did that. I'm excited to see what he can do in the AHL. I'd also put Foegele in this same boat.

Gauthier seemed to be the opposite of Kuokkanen for me. I noticed him maybe 1-2 times a game and it was more due to his speed than size. I noticed Roy a lot more, to me he appears to be much bigger on the ice. He has made some decent plays and protects the puck well.

Bean has been noticeable but not in a good way. I'm not sure how he scored all those goals last year, his shot and offensive awareness seem lacking to me. Maybe its just nerves or new teammates. His decisions in the defensive end have been scary far too often. On the positive side, his 4-way agility seems to be great.

Poturalski and Tolchinsky suffer from the same issue. They both make decent plays at times but also seem to do to much and end up squandering opportunities.

Bishop and Lorentz both looked pretty solid. I could see either being cheap bottom-6 options for the Canes if they continue to develop.

I didn't realize how big Zykov was. He's not Gauthier tall, but at 6'1, 225 lbs he weighs the same.

How does he look compared to the other players? Might just have those dense Russian bones. . I don't know why I care so much, just that I like seeing our team trend on the larger side I guess.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I didn't realize how big Zykov was. He's not Gauthier tall, but at 6'1, 225 lbs he weighs the same.

How does he look compared to the other players? Might just have those dense Russian bones. . I don't know why I care so much, just that I like seeing our team trend on the larger side I guess.

In my limited viewings of Zykov, he appeared to have a Faulk-like physique.

 

[NotOpie]

I didn't watch the 2nd game. The third game was much like the 1st only more lopsided.

Kuokkanen and McKeown are the definite standouts for me and much for the same reason. Both have incredible instincts and Hockey IQ in all three zones. They always seem to be in the right place to make the play or pick up a loose puck. They are both very noticeable, every shift they were on the ice they were making plays. I think the Canes have two real gems there.

Zykov isn't far behind, I didn't notice him as much on a consistent basis but many times during my "damn, who just did that?" moments it turned out that it was Zykov who just did that. I'm excited to see what he can do in the AHL. I'd also put Foegele in this same boat.

Gauthier seemed to be the opposite of Kuokkanen for me. I noticed him maybe 1-2 times a game and it was more due to his speed than size. I noticed Roy a lot more, to me he appears to be much bigger on the ice. He has made some decent plays and protects the puck well.

Bean has been noticeable but not in a good way. I'm not sure how he scored all those goals last year, his shot and offensive awareness seem lacking to me. Maybe its just nerves or new teammates. His decisions in the defensive end have been scary far too often. On the positive side, his 4-way agility seems to be great.

Poturalski and Tolchinsky suffer from the same issue. They both make decent plays at times but also seem to do to much and end up squandering opportunities.

Bishop and Lorentz both looked pretty solid. I could see either being cheap bottom-6 options for the Canes if they continue to develop.

So, AMO, I agree with a lot of what you saw.

I've seen all three games except for the early part of yesterday's game. My observations:

McKeown is the real deal. His decision-making doesn't seem labored at all, he just seems to opt for practical when it is the right decision. He pinches at the right time and seems to choose to defend correctly. He's not super fast but he's an agile skater and has what I would call "good speed".

Kuokkanen has been, hands down, the best player on the ice for the Baby Canes. He made one bad turnover that I saw, but has consistently made the right decision, otherwise. He drives the play offensively, but is always looking to use his teammates. He's got a much better shot than I was led to believe and he's has seemed to get faster in each game. Add to this that he plays bigger than his size and there's not much to dislike in his game. A year in London will leave him as a very real competitor for a slot on the NHL club next season.

Zykov, like a couple of other players, seems to have gotten better and better each time I see him. He's much more responsible defensively, but he's a guy the team needs because of his offensive chops. He doesn't seem like he's flying around everywhere, but like AMO said, you look up and he's the guy battling for the puck, taking the quick shot, or right in front of the net.

Roy is another guy who has gotten better with each viewing to me. I disagree about his skating as I feel he's improved it dramatically and seems to continue to improve. What impresses me about him is his stickwork. He seems like a smaller, more agile guy with the puck on his stick. I used to think that another year in the Q would be wasted on him, but now I believe there are specific things he can work on and dominate. He's never going to be a speed burner, but if he can keep improving his skating he'll be at least as good at Rask or....

Lucas Wallmark. He's definitely improved his skating in all facets. To me, after Kuokkanen, he's been the best of the lot. He is the guy who seems to always be in the right place at the right time, both offensively and defensively. He's billed as a distributor, and his vision and decision-making in that regard have been noticeable. He's improved on his face offs after the 1st tilt too (Roy and Kuokkanen seem to have been pretty good overall in the FO dept.). And don't sleep on his shot which can be both hard and accurate.

Agree totally on Foegele who has seemingly done all that's been asked of him and he does it with speed, just on the edge of reckless abandon. He seems to top out as a 2nd line/3rd line tweener, but I think his hands are better than he's shown in this tournament.

Julian Gauthier was initially disappointing and I am now understanding why he likely needs another year in juniors. I love his game, but he needs to gain confidence in his skills in the offensive zone WHEN playing with others....it is like he needs to learn trust over time. He is, however, playing a very solid defensive game.

I kinda disagree about Jake Bean as I've seen him make a few nice defensive plays and his offensive instincts, again, seem to have gotten better with each game. Don't get me wrong, he's going to make mistakes and has make his fair share. It just feels to me that he's lived up his billing as young and raw.

Been somewhat disappointed in both Poturalski and Tochinsky. I agree totally they seem to both be trying to do too much. Sergey will give you these wonderful flashes and then think too much of his skills and get stripped or otherwise used. I really wanted to like Poturalski, and after the first game of the tournament (clearly his best), he seems to be simply overthinking everything.

Bishop, Lorentz (who has gotten better as the tournament has progressed), and Wesley have mostly been solid, but unspectacular. Peters is a trainwreck, but Ben Gleason has some potential. Elynuik still needs some work, but you can see why he was drafted. He does show flashes of much higher end potential. Smallman in a small sample size is another 3rd/4th line tweener but who has a little more skill than most.

The surprise of the tournament, to me, is Noah Carroll. He has played much better than I ever could have expected, especially on the defensive side of the puck. Very good decision-making and leans toward always making the safe, smart play. Somebody saw something in him that others clearly missed.

In my limited viewings of Zykov, he appeared to have a Faulk-like physique.

Only thicker....

 

[DaveG]

With Carroll he was expected to be a 2nd round pick heading in to last season but his team was just absolute garbage. So it results in poor production and poor looks with him getting thrown in to a roll he just clearly wasn't ready for. His confidence seems to be getting back to where it was as an OHL rookie so he'll be one to watch next season or two before joining Charlotte just to see if he gets back on the track that he was expected to be on.

 

[cptjeff]

Ah, Detroit in their whites, Carolina in their Reds, looks like a Detroit intersquad game. Still don't like the new red jerseys.

Edit: Wait, we have play by play today? Nice.