Threads like this make me love Al Gore for inventing the internet.
KP, are you going to be at Frozen Fury?
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Threads like this make me love Al Gore for inventing the internet.
KP, are you going to be at Frozen Fury?
KP,
thanks again for taking the time to TYPE this stuff!
Are you coming to Staples for any of the games this season?
CBGB buys dinner :)
Then we can compare notes!!! LOL
Alec Martinez
Pre-camp thoughts: Did well in Miami. Should be good here.
Initial Observations: Disappointment
Development: The biggest knock about Martinez last year is he needed to bulk up. You could see in his legs how thin he was. He has definitely added weight this year compared to last, you can see it in his legs. I'm not sure if he's adjusting to his growing body, or if it's just the level of players he's being compared to now, but he just didn't look very good out there. His stride and stance are normal, but he didn't have a good deal of speed. His passing wasn't there. His physical game is a work in progress. He didn't look awkward, but he was, if that makes sense.
I could have set the bar high with my expectations, and he underperformed, or he just didn't have a good camp. I'm sure he'll be okay by training camp, but he just didn't look that great out there.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: Mobile #5/6 d-man. He may be a decent PKing d-man long term as he's quick, but he still has a way to go before even making the NHL let alone being given crucial special teams time.
David Meckler
Pre-camp thoughts: I was pulling for this guy last year
Initial Observations: He made me look really smart
Development: Last year, I said that Meckler had the most deceptive shot of all the forwards. This year, it's the most lethal of every player. Honestly, I was at this camp, last year's camp, and showed up a couple times at the camp two years ago. Of those three camps, I cannot think of one player who has a better shot, not even Kopitar or O'Sullivan. This was immediately apparent; he has a very quick release, whether it's a slap, snap, wrist, or backhand shot, and it gets a tremendous amount of velocity and accuracy. On top of this talent, he skates well, can get physical, and can handle the puck well.
In terms of what he needs to work on, he could develop his skating still, and he needs to compete consistently. It's not that he's lazy, but he can disappear. He could also work on his passing, and he's a bit of a puck hog.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: Top 6. His talents necessitate him being in that type of role.
Not this year, maybe next.Quote:
Originally Posted by adgy-san
Haha, you're on ;) I'm sure I'll make a trip to LA a couple times this season. I'll let you know what games I plan to go to!Quote:
Originally Posted by CBGB
Scott Parse
Pre-camp thoughts: Had lots of assists, so he's a playmaker
Initial Observations: Not the scorer I thought he was.
Development: Parse is one of those players who just feels like he's been in the system for so long, you are naturally predisposed to thinking he should be one of the leading players on this team. After all, he was drafted 4 years ago, and so being a "veteran prospect" you'd think he'd be some type of leader.
He wasn't in the slightest.
He made one play that even reminded me that he was originally a playmaker. His skating is at the same level of everyone... which isn't excusable, in my opinion, since he has been in the system for so long. He should be more refined. His shot is still of junior/collegiate level. I'm trying not to say that he's bad, but he's a 13 year-old in the third grade. Is it impossible for him to graduate from high school? No, but he still has a long ways to go, and right now he's behind the learning curve.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: 2nd line playmaker. At this rate, I'd be very wary about expecting him ever to show up at the NHL level, but he's a passer, and he can pass well... which would make him a good supplemental scorer.
Joe Piskula
Pre-camp thoughts: Aaron Miller
Initial Observations: Aaron Miller
Development: Piskula stepped in, met expectations, and has pretty much become a "what you see is what you get" type of player. He's not as mean as Miller, but he is willing to play the physical game. He's not going to fool you into thinking he's some offensive defenseman. He's not. His skating speed is a little below average, but he's a strong guy who can push the opposition out of the way. Passing is still an issue, but when he screws up, at least he'll be staying back to make up for his mistakes.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: #5/6 stay-at-home d-man.
KP, this is awesome, every time I read another post, I think I'm done and then I scroll down and see a new one and get excited. :D Keep up the great work!
Wayne Simmonds
Pre-camp thoughts: He would be the most impressive player out of this group
Initial Observations: Not a disappointment.
Development: Simmonds has added a little bit of weight, but he's still lanky (particularly in the legs). Other than that, he was simply one of the best players out of this group.
There's really very little this kid does wrong. He drives to the net, skates hard, stickhandles well, is creative, and consistently punks the goalie if given enough time. One particular drill, he scored three goals in a row shooting in the exact same corner. He's also very gritty; he won't throw a heavy check, but he has that physical presence.
The biggest thing holding him back is his weight. He still needs to bulk up, but he's very close to being a very steady pro.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: 1st/2nd/3rd line gritty winger. He has that top end talent, but even if it doesn't work out, he can play an energy role and succeed.
Vjateslav Voinov
Pre-camp thoughts: Intriguing, dirty SOB
Initial Observations: Jetlagged
Development: Voinov, like Loktionov, looked like he was suffering from jet lag. His performance at the game wasn't very noticeable. However, the next day, he started coming into his own. He quickly became the most amusing player to watch on my last day, Wednesday.
During drills, he tripped over the blueline, just trying to skate back in line, and slid all the way to center ice. He was laughing about it. Jamie Kompon then made the "safe" gesture like an umpire in baseball. He got the most praise from the coaches, where Kompon on several occasions would yell "All right Slava!" and slam his stick. One drill, the d-men were practicing reversing the puck... the d-man is supposed to say "reverse!" Voinov surveyed the ice, as he was supposed to, then tried mumbling something. Kompon was amused, repeating the word "reverse" a couple times for Voinov so he knew how to say it right. Still, I think Voinov was discouraged, since he wasn't saying it right, because he didn't try to say it after that. The d-men who was supposed to reverse it to him just did it anyway.
Another time, he messed up the play, and he gave his defensive partner an apologetic tap on the shinpad.
Ultimately, this is a kid who is facing a lot of adversity and he always seems to enjoy the time. He usually makes a mistake with his drills, and there aren't any other Europeans in the d-men group who might have a taste of the Russian language to try and explain things to him. Still, with a little bit of time, he usually catches on to the drill, and he is usually the most fluid skater and accurate passer of these d-men.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: Bottom 4 d-man. He's got potential to be good at both ends of the ice, and he learns quickly where he can pick up the game at a pro-level.
Kevin Westgarth
Pre-camp thoughts: Enforcer
Initial Observations: Enforcer
Development: There's not really anything to be said about Westgarth. He's slow, has a bad shot, bad pass, and can't handle the puck. Seems like a good guy, but he was having a bad camp even for an enforcer.
If he makes the NHL, he'll be: An enforcer. I really don't think this is breaking news to anyone.
Unfortunately, that's going to be it. I didn't get a good read on the Gold group goalies, mostly because the first two days I had a hard time distinguishing Quick and Taylor, but also because of the limited time I saw them in the game and in camp. I can't really pretend to give you any informed analysis there.
I have to say thank you KP once again for all the info you put together and shared with us. Great job!!!
Wow. This stuff is golden.
It was nice to see that you think that Simmonds potentially can be a 1st or 2nd liner, rather than just being a 3rd line "energy-type" player that he was penned as last year.
