X. Texas Stars (AHL) Discussion

[Elysian]

Campbell looks pretty good out there tonight.

Jinx post. 2-1 Checkers...

 

[Elysian]

One of the 3 people in the audience did a "Campbell" chant, ending it with "You suck..."

 

[OttMorrow]

Jinx post. 2-1 Checkers...

Yeah. My bad.

 

[Elysian]

Back to the box...

 

[Elysian]

Can't clear the damned puck.

Somehow we survived that, now we're on the PP.

 

[Elysian]

2-1 after 2...

 

[Elysian]

The announcer trying to say Staal didn't deserve a penalty there is so off base...

 

[Elysian]

Campbell on the bench... Offense has been very meh tonight.

 

[Elysian]

3-1 Checkers, really not a great game.

 

[OttMorrow]

Honka's puck rushing is superb. He does need to work on his defensive positioning, poke-checks, and he needs to figure out when NOT to shoot the puck.

 

[David Castillo]

I know no one here is expecting Honka to be perfect, and are looking at his performance in the context of an 18 year old defenseman playing in the AHL, but may I be a bit hyperbolic and say that the raw goods on display is almost supernatural. His lateral movement is elite for any league, you almost never see him backchecking, and if he can clean up his play in his own zone just enough, I really think he'll be someone special. He really is something singular. Especially when he's on a team with Benn, Seguin, and Nichushkin.

 

[OttMorrow]

I know no one here is expecting Honka to be perfect, and are looking at his performance in the context of an 18 year old defenseman playing in the AHL, but may I be a bit hyperbolic and say that the raw goods on display is almost supernatural. His lateral movement is elite for any league, you almost never see him backchecking, and if he can clean up his play in his own zone just enough, I really think he'll be someone special. He really is something singular. Especially when he's on a team with Benn, Seguin, and Nichushkin.

He does have a very unique set of skills. He's my favorite prospect of ours by a mile.

 

[MetalGodAOD*]

Can you imagine him at 20 or 21 with 2-3 years in the AHL under his belt?

My only fear is that he doesn't turn into one of those young dynamic D-men who loses it when over-coached to play defense better.

 

[OttMorrow]

Can you imagine him at 20 or 21 with 2-3 years in the AHL under his belt?

My only fear is that he doesn't turn into one of those young dynamic D-men who loses it when over-coached to play defense better.

Oh yeah. I think he's gonna be a good one...potentially our most offensively entertaining blueliner ever.

 

[Dundalis]

Can you imagine him at 20 or 21 with 2-3 years in the AHL under his belt?

My only fear is that he doesn't turn into one of those young dynamic D-men who loses it when over-coached to play defense better.

I'm not sure it will take 2-3 years for him to crack the NHL. He's not NHL ready right now, but he doesn't seem quite that far off to me. I expect his development to accelerate plenty this season, given his age and prior experience and put himself in with a good chance of cracking the NHL next season. One and a half seasons in the AHL at most barring an injury or other unforeseen mishap.

 

[OttMorrow]

I'm not sure it will take 2-3 years for him to crack the NHL. He's not NHL ready right now, but he doesn't seem quite that far off to me. I expect his development to accelerate plenty this season, given his age and prior experience and put himself in with a good chance of cracking the NHL next season. One and a half seasons in the AHL at most barring an injury or other unforeseen mishap.

I think 1-2 years, but he definitely has to fix some issues defensively and I think it's going to be contingent on that. Especially if Klingberg successful as a righty PP Specialist, there is no need to rush Honka.

 

[BigG44]

Can you imagine him at 20 or 21 with 2-3 years in the AHL under his belt?

My only fear is that he doesn't turn into one of those young dynamic D-men who loses it when over-coached to play defense better.

Unless Ruff gets fired soon, that doesn't seem likely. He's overly patient with the D and he constantly preaches not punishing guys for mistakes.

He wants them to take chances.

 

[MetalGodAOD*]

Unless Ruff gets fired soon, that doesn't seem likely. He's overly patient with the D and he constantly preaches not punishing guys for mistakes.

He wants them to take chances.

Laxdell might not be the same way though.

 

[BigG44]

Laxdell might not be the same way though.

He's going to have him for probably 2 years at most ... you can't Daley a kid in that time frame. Besides ... Nill watches Austin like a hawk. No coach is going to be doing anything in Texas that jeopardizes a players development. Laxdall's leash isn't close to as long as an NHL coach ... especially now that the team is the owner of the Texas franchise.

 

[KiedisA]

Can you Austin folks tell me something about Mike Hedden?


He just signed for Ässät and scored his first goal yesterday in his second game. But how did he raised his level so much last season? What kind of role did he have in a line and with whom did he played most of the games?

 

[Bluesoma]

Can you Austin folks tell me something about Mike Hedden?


He just signed for Ässät and scored his first goal yesterday in his second game. But how did he raised his level so much last season? What kind of role did he have in a line and with whom did he played most of the games?

Hedden is a borderline grinder/scorer type. Not the biggest of guys and don't expect him to throw his body around but he's good at going after the puck and has a decent shot.

He played with two excellent linemates in Justin Dowling and Brett Ritchie. He benefited quite a bit from those two and sort of that third guy clean up or extra shot guy. He's not bad at finding space to sit for opportunities but not great at creating his own space/plays.

He's also decent at backchecking but not his forte.

Basically he'd be a good supplemental player to a scoring line.

 

[Bluesoma]

Okies, finally able to sit down and watch one of the away games.

Interestingly Campbell is in net.

 

[Bluesoma]

Morin continues being an AHL all-star. Dowling with a great pass for a shortie.

 

[Bluesoma]

Stars lose in OT with less than a second left after both Campbell and Mrazek make incredible saves. GRG get the GWG as Campbell gets screened and is sniped short side.

Not a bad game for him or Texas overall though.

 

[David Castillo]

Apologies but I need to ask this for every Texas game I miss, but...how did Honka look?